Lebeau received various honors including France's highest order of merit, Legion of Honour.
He studied at Lycée Saint-Louis before attending the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he received a degree in physical sciences in 1952.
Lebeau received his doctorate in science in 1965, with the thesis titled Les courants électriques dans l'ionosphère des régions polaires (English: Electric Currents in the Ionosphere of the Polar Regions).
[5][3] In 1958, Lebeau participated in the 2nd French Antarctic Expedition, supporting the construction of the Dumont d'Urville base during the International Geophysical Year.
Lebeau joined the French Space Agency (CNES) in 1965 as Director of Programs and Planning.